The Raiders and 49ers stunk equally in 2017. The Bay Area teams finished with identical 6-10 records in a disappointing campaign for both, with an equal strength of schedule leaving their first-round draft order to be settled with a coin flip.
NFL Network turned what should’ve been a five-second procedure in private into a tongue-in-cheek, made-for-TV event at the NFL Scouting Combine, bringing executives onto the bench press stage for the formal coin flip.
Hall of Famer Rod Woodson, who played for the Raiders and 49ers, conducted the ceremonial coin flip with Andrew Siciliano on the mic. Raiders head coach Jon Gruden and then-general manager Reggie McKenzie were present alongside 49ers GM John Lynch, though Kyle Shanahan took a hard pass over a ridiculous proceeding. Had Gruden known he could’ve backed out he certainly would have.
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The 49ers ultimately won the toss, meaning they would draft No. 9 overall and the Raiders at No. 10.
That shouldn’t have been a huge deal that turned out to be one. Why? The Raiders and 49ers had similar needs that year and, as it turned out, had their hearts set on the same guy.
That same thing could happen in reverse this season, with the Raiders one spot ahead of the 49ers at No. 12, looking for the same talent.
Before we break down what might happen this year, let’s go back to how the 2018 draft played out
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The Silver and Black had edge rusher Bradley Chubb atop their wish list, but he was never making it to No. 10. Denver took him at No. 5, shifting the Raiders to Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey.
One problem: that combine coin flip put the 49ers in position to take him first. Lynch selected him without hesitation. It was a good move -- one McGlinchey was thankful for -- considering he turned out to be a plug-and-play right tackle who will occupy that 49ers spot for years.
The Raiders traded down to No. 15 and landed UCLA’s Kolton Miller, the next offensive tackle on most draft boards. The Silver and Black can’t be too disappointed with how things turned out, considering Miller has become an anchor left tackle with the athleticism and temperament to be a standout run blocker and pass protector.
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History wasn’t supposed to repeat itself this draft, not after Raiders fizzled down the stretch to finish 7-9 while the 49ers surged all the way to the Super Bowl. But the DeForest Buckner trade set this scenario up, with Indianapolis parting with the No. 13 overall pick for the All-Pro defensive tackle.
This wouldn’t be a big deal but, for the second time in three drafts, the Raiders and 49ers have similar needs. Both teams need a receiver, a top-flight cornerback and a defensive tackle, among other things.
The Raiders have an opportunity to take a player the 49ers covet most, a script flip over what happened in 2018. There’s also a strong possibility both teams emerge just fine, as they did in 2018.
There are three receivers bunched atop the position group in Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. There are other receiver-needy teams above No. 12 so one or more could be gone. The teams could also have different preferences on the three aforementioned receivers.
Current Raiders GM Mike Mayock reportedly likes Lamb best. The 49ers are more connected to Ruggs than the others, though Gruden would love adding a sprinter’s speed to his offense. Jeudy’s no slouch, someone who could step in and perform well right away.
[RELATED: Raiders’ projected picks in all seven rounds]
There are enough options out there that the Raiders and 49ers could steer clear of each other and come away happy. There’s also a chance they’re locked on the same guy and the Silver and Black could snatch someone the 49ers really want just before they have a chance to take him, a parting gift they’ll take with them while relocating from Oakland to Las Vegas and leaving the 49ers as the only Bay Area NFL team.